Jets To Part Ways With Jenkins, Woody, Taylor And Ghost

According to ESPN, earlier today the New York Jets released OT Damien Woody, a 13-year veteran who spent last 3 seasons with the Jets. Woody got injured late in the season and missed 3 regular season games along with 2 games in the playoffs. OL Vlad Ducasse has been rumored to switch to Woody's position on the right side of the offensive line.

NT Kris Jenkins, who missed entire last season and a significant portion of 2009, is also expected to be cut. He was supposed to be the cornerstone of the Gang Green's defensive line, but numerous injuries, big salary, and the emergence of DT Sione Pouha have made him expendable.

LB Jason Taylor, who was brought in before last season to bolster the pass-rush, is also expected to be let go. He's going to be 37 when the 2011 season begins, if it begins at all. Taylor's 5 sacks last season were a far cry from "double digits" that Rex Ryan expected from him before the season.

Finally, DE Vernon Gholston, the biggest Jets bust of the last decade, is going to be released as well.Gholson, who was #6 overall selection in 2008, did not register a single sack in 3 seasons with the Jets. In three years, Gholston played in 45 games, including five starts, producing only 32 total tackles. He made $21 million in guarantees from his rookie contract, which breaks down to $636,000 per tackle.

These salary-cutting moves will save the Jets about $13.5M in 2011 salary and bonuses. That should help them re-sign their high priority free agents - WR Santonio Holmes and WR Braylon Edwards.